Hand reel for antennas



Dec-8,1942. I w. P. L-EAR 2,304,184

HAND REEL FOR ANTENNAS Filed Oct. 25, 1939' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 4 H? W ,2? k L l 1 I Ii 1 1 EH Q l' Z 2; if INVENTOR. BY W/ZZ/J/V 154/1 ATTORNEY.

'Dmz. s, 1942. HAND REEL FOR ANTENNAS I Filed 00%,. 25, 1939 ZSheets-Sheec 2 41 fw X 0% 3: i Q? J I W I INVENTOR. W/ZZ/AM? f. 154/? ATTORNEY.

w. P. LEAR 2,304,184 h y "o -reosrarss in detail. It is accordingly an object of my present invention to provide a novel hand reel.

" 1 Another object of the invention is to j a novel hand reel for an antenna; wire incorporat- T his a pawl, a ratchet and a friction brake. 40

I Patented Dec.- 8 1942 v PATENT REEL ron ANTENNAS William I. Lear, Dayton, Ohio: assignor, by meme assignments, to Lear Avia, Inc., Piqna, Ohio, -a

corporation of Illinois- 3 I Application October 25, 1939, Serial No. 301,096

10 claims. (Cl. 242-99) This invention relates to antenna reels for air-.

craft radio communication apparatus, and more particularly relates to improved manual reels for wire antennae.

stationary or rest position for the reel is withl the ratchet and brake both engaged, insuring apositive stop for the antenna wire in any degree of extension.

Another important feature of my present inber arranged to operate the ratchet and brake in proper sequence preliminary to reeling-out,

reeling-in or rest positions of the reel. The construction of my novel reel incorporates these features in a relatively small bulk. The shift 2 member has four positions. Its movements are made relatively short. The sequence of the shifting operations is suchas to disengage the brake just prior to both reeling-in and reeling-out, and

The intermediate positions correspond to the engagement and disengagement of the pawl and ratchet device as will be hereinafter described provide Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact hand reel insuring proper deceleration of winding by means ofv a brake and associated shift-over member during changes between the reeling-in, reeling-out and rest positions. z

- A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel hand reel incorporating a deceleration brake ,engageable with a relatively short movement and coacting with a pawl and 50 ratchet for controlling the reel proper.

Still a further objectof the invention is to provide a novel hand reel for a wire antenna aboard an aircraft of compact and reliable construction, and readily operable by the pilot.-

Tension or compression 10 These and further objects of the invention will readily become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment thereof iilustrated in the drawings, .in which: I

nism, as taken along the line 3-201. Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the braking, ratchet,.and shift-over members. A

taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a-vertical crossesectional view through I the shift-over and braking mechanism of the reel, taken along the line-S-l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view illustrating the I I pawl and ratchet arrangement of the reel, taken vention resides in the provision of a shift mem- 20 along the line 6-4 of Fig. 3.

A preferred form which the hand reel of the Spacer screws l5 secure disks i0 and. with spacers l2. Disks 10, II and spacers l2 are formed of insulation material for electrically 150- to engage it during two steps intermediate be- 3 lating the antenna wire from the reel control tween the reeling-out and reeling-in positions.

mechanism and adjacent-structures. Micarta" with a linen base is suitable material for these reel parts. Reel crank handle I8 is attached by bracket I! to outer-reel disk II.

is folded towards disk i l for safe positioning. Particularly during free reeling-out operation.

one of the spacers, I20.

ric. End portions 2| and 23 of the strap are made up of pairs of metallic plates riveted to- I gether with the fabric strap 22 between. Electrical contact with reelable wire 20 is made in a suitable manner, such'as by rollers 25, 25 spaced from the reel. Electrical connection to the radio apparatus is effected through lead 26 to rollers 25. .A lead weight, generally streamline, is'secured at the outerv or tail end of antenna wire 20 to insure extension of the wire in taut relationship beneath the aircraft in flight. Snob attachment is general. and is for example described in my Patent No. 2,272,213 for "Antenna reeling 5 system."

Handle l8 isv foldable on bracket I! at pivot IS, The handle I 30 by rivets l5. movable and fastened to flange liiof brake-shoe 5ilbyrlvets 41., Brake shoe 50 is manuallycontrolied byshift I member or arm 5| attached to the 'brake'shoe by yoke 52 and pins 53, 53. An angular'displace- 'ment of shift arm 5! operates threaded brake shoe in and its brake lining towards or away "I from disk 40, correspondingly eflecting engage-y ment or disengagement of the braking, elements."=' "Brake shoe 50 has surface threads 5l,'as shown" ratchet teeth 42. Disengagement of v the pawl 2- I d 2,304,184 v p in accordancewith my present invention, reelin Fig. 5, meshing with corresponding threads ing-in of an extended antenna portion is ac-. oomplished by manually cranking the reel by handle it. A pawl and ratchet is incorporated .inthe reel to hold it at the position where the reeling-injisstopped. The weight at the free end of the wire keeps the remaining extended portion taut outside the aircraft. Means-are also provided toudisengage the ratchet from its pawl to permit free reeling-out of the wire when required. The weight at the outside antenna end effects rapid extension of the antenna wire when the ratchetis so disengaged. The ratchet is automaticallyreengaged with its pawl for they rest position of the reel, holding it against further-unwinding after the proper wire length has been extended.

Further in accordance with the present invention, a friction brake is arranged to De/applied prior to theengagement of the pawl and ratchet '20 in order to decelerate the reel when'rotating, to

prevent stripping of the ratchet, and- ,toavoid snapping of the antennawire, A shiftarrangement is incorporated with the'reel control mechanism to insure application of the brake prior to engagement of the pawl and ratchet. The rest position of the reel'corresponds to the position'of the shift member which causes engagementof both the brake and the ratchet. 'When the shift member is movedto reeling-in, the

ratchet becomes engaged and-the brake ,disengaged, as ,will be hereinafter shown.

we note that the reel is rotatably mounted with respect to an' extension 21 projecting centrally from base 28 of housing'lil for the control mech-' anism of the reel. Housing 10 is attached to base 3|, which is in turn secured to the aircraft in a suitable position near the pilot. Reel'hubfi is secured to disks In, H by bolts 33. Reel-hub 32 is-mounted concentrically with brake hub 35 and f is secured thereto for rotation therewith by a key comprising rectangular strip 36 recessed into outer disk. ILand screws 31. Hubs 32 and 35 are preferably made of an aluminum alloy. Brake hub '35 ismounted for free rotation with respect to projecting rod 21; a graphite oil-' 7 impregnated bearing or liner 38 being-interposed therein,preferably made of a Bakelite material s having a linen base. s

j f Brakev hub 35 is secured to-a metallic disk 40 i by screws 4i as-shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Disk 40 f serves both as a brake face and ratchet wheel.

- Ratchet teeth H are integral withthe periphery .i'ff 'fof disk 40. Operation. of the reel is controlled "by' this combined brake and ratchet disk 40.

- Flat-faced brake linings l3 and 44 coact with opposite sides of disk 50 and operate as' a brake.

- Brake linings l3 and, may beof molded Bakelite material such as Raybestos. The brake linings are'annnlar in shape.

, Brake lining 43' is stationary, being secured to base 28 of housing mounted on base .28 of housing 30. Y movement of brake shoe 50 by a'rm 5| thereby causes an, axial movement of the brake shoe.

when brake shoe 50 is impelled towards base 28, it presses brake lining 44 against disk 40.

on the inner surface of brake shoe case 55. Brake shoecase 55 is in the form'of a ring fixedly Brake hub 35, secured to disk 40, is likewise moved axially. and disk 40 is pressed'against stationary brake lining 43. Frictional engagement of the brake, comprising brake linings 43, ll and disk I0, is effected to inhibit movement of the reel secured to brake hub 35. The mechanism-is designed to effect full engagementof the brake with a relatively small axial displacement, forexample in the order of of an inch or less. The axial movement of the brake shoe between engaged and disengaged positionsof the brake is, inthe illustrated case, effected bya 30 rotationof shift arm 6|. The brake is engaged-when arm ii is in the central position shown in solid lines in Fig. 4. Thebrake :is designed to be fully disengaged 'when the arm is displaced to the by for example 30, as shown in dotted lines in i igs..l',-2 and 4 at position 51a. V

An important feature of my present invention resides. in providing a simple foolproof correlation of the pawl and ratchet as well as brake engagement and disengagement with the reelingin and -reeling-out operations on the antenna wire. 'l'heficontrolof the reeling operations is 'flected with arm Ii uperatedinfour positions.

A substantially U-shaped slot- "n -inthe upper surface of housing ,3! guides shift arm-ll in the shitting positions. The positionof arm'il shown in solid lines in Fig; 2; corrcspondsto. its position shown in solid lines in Figsyi and 5., wherein the brake is fully engaged, 1 This is aninterme- Angular diate orv rest position. .Mhenarm ii is shifted I towards the right; along channel B l,- brake shoe 50 is rotated clockwise to disengage the brake,

as will be described "in detail hereinafter.

A pawl 65,- pivoted. Jonto brake shoe case 55 by pin 66 coa'cts with ratchet teeth 42 through slot er in case as, as shown'in- Fig. 6. "Spring", se-

curedto brake shoe case 55, is 'arranged'to normally mechanicallybias end portion ll! of pawl against, ratchet teeth 42. The ratchet and pawl are accordingly normally in'engaged relation. when arm Si is operated towards the right to P sition lila along channel 6!, the pawl and ratchet remain engaged while the brake becomes 55 fin conditionrfor reeling-in any extended antenna disengaged. -In position lilo, the mechanism is wire portion, the pawl and'ratchet holding the 1 reel in theposition in which-it is'stopped, as will be 'evidentto those skilled in the art. when reeling-in is stopped, arm is preferably moved back to position II shown in solid lines, applying the brake with the ratchet engaged.

When shift arm 53 is pressed inwardly, towards Y:

rear base as, to position ilb in line with channel Opposite brake lining II is 65 v52 .as shown in Fig 2 and 5, pawl can disengaged from ratchet eth 42. Rear upper'surface H of pawl 65 is sloped to serve as a cam and coact with inclined surface portion '12 of yoke 52-.

-.Thus when arm BI is 'moved rearwardly toposition Slim-yoke 52 pivoting on pins 53, 53 presses against cammed surface H ofv pawl 65m angu --l:

. be made in embodiment of the invention disclosed withoutarm secured V accuse and ratchet is efiective while arm and yoke 52 are in the rear position along channel E2 of 'U-slot 60.

The position 5|b of arm 5| is the intermediate one just prior to the freely reeling-out position of the reel. In position 5|b'the brake is .still applied, preventingreeling-out though the ratchet is disengaged. The brake is disengaged when the arm is shifted-to the right along channel 62 to'position Sic (Fig. 2), since a clockwise rotationis imparted to brake shoe 50 impelling it means engageable with said disk for arresting rotation of said reel comprising an externally threaded annular member coaxial with said disk and arranged adjacentone face thereof, a brake member arranged adjacent the other disk face, Y a casing surrounding said; disk and members, said casing having internal threads in engagement with-said annular member, an arm secured to Y said annular inember'and extending through a outwards axially. The ratchet-and pawl remain disengaged while arm 5| is in any rearward position along channel 62. A-leaf spring .15 is arranged between base 28 of housing Iiil and disk 40 mechanically biasing disk fiflaway from stationary brake lining 43. This action serves to insure brake disengagement during reeling-out or reeling-in positions of the mechanism. When arm 5| reaches position Sic, thereei is in the position of free reeling-out.

Prior to reeling-out it is preferable to turn crank-handle l6 on pivot i8 against disk H for toaxially move said annular. member against the corresponding race of said disk when said arm is shifted in a predetern inedian ular direction to axially displace said disk into frictionalengageslotted opening in said casing to permit the turnme of said annular member angularly on its axis. the casing andmember threads being arranged merit with said brake member.

safety reasons sinceits rate of rotation is rela- ,tively high during unreeling. When suiilcient antenna wire is extended by free unreeling, the

pilot shifts arm 5| along channel 62, to the left from position 5|c to 5|b, The brake is there-- upon applied, arresting free rotation of the reel and stopping reeling-out. Theshiit arm then returned to position 5| shownin solid lines, whereupon ratchet teeth 42 are reengaged with pawl 65 and the reel mechanism is in stable rest condition.

The-reeling mechanism of my present invention accordingly prevents injury to the pawl and ratchet by preventing their possible engagement 3 at high speed rotation due to free reeling-out. .I'he frictional brake is'applied to arrest the re.

tationof the reel and attached ratchet disk to prior to the engagement of the ratchet teeth for shock or jar to the apparatus. by means of thegradual frictional braking. Connection anddisconnection of the brake in proper" sequence is definitely assured whenever the pilot wishes to operate the shift arm; for example to change 'from freereeling-out to reeling-in, etc.

It is to be understood that modifications my the details and arrangements f the departing from thebroader spirit and scope thereof, and accordingly I do not intendto be limited except as set forth in the following,

claims. v a

WhatI claim is:

l. The combination with a reel of a secured to said reel for rotation therewith; and

braking means engageabie with said disk rorarresting rotation of said reel comprising an exsaid. disk and arranged adjacent thereto, a casing surrounding said disk and having internal threads in engagement'with said member, an to said member and extending through a slotted opening in said casing to perrnit the turning of said member angularly on its .axis, the casing and member threads being orranged to axially move said member into frictional engagement with said disk when said arm is shifted in a predetermined angular direction.

'2. The combination with a reel of a disk secured to said reel'for rotation'therewith, said being axially dispiaceable;

and braking 3;. The combinaticna with av 1 reel of a ratchet disk having ratchet teeth on its periphery and secured to said reel forarotation therewith.

said reel and ratchet disk being axially displacepredetermined ranged for engagement and disengagement with able; braking means engageable, with said ratchet disk for arresting. rotation of said reel comprisin an annular member coaxial with said ratchet disk and arranged adjacent one face thereoLan arm extendingjfromsaid member for turning it angularly on-its axis witlr respect to said ratchet disk, and means foraxially moving said member into frictional engagement with the face of said ratchet disk when said member is turned in a -angular direction; and a pawl arthe stable rest position. Stripping of the ratchet is-- inhibited. Smooth operation and transition between control positions is efiected without '4. The combination with .a hand reel of aratchet disk having ratchetteeth on its periphcry and secured to said reel for rotation thereengageable with said ratchetdisk for arresting with, said reel and ratchet disk being axially displaceable; braking means including a brake shoe ranged adjacent said ratchet disk, an arm ex- .tendihg from said member for-turning it angularlywith f ct'to said ratchet disk, and means for moving said member against said ratchet disk when said member is turned in a predetermined angular direction to axially displac said ratchet disk into frictional -engagerrient with saidrbrake shoe; and a pawl arranged for actuation by said arm into engagement vand disengagement with said ratchet teeth.

5. The combination with a reel of a disk secured to said reel for rotation-therewith, said reel and disk being axially displaceable together; and braking means engageable with said disk for arresting rotation of said reel comprising a first member arranged. adjacent one face of said disk. at second member arranged adjacent the other i a face of said disk. an arm extending from said 'ternally threaded annular member coaxial with first member for turning it angularly'with respect to said disk, and apparatus including .coacting 1 portions extending from said members for axially moving said first member against said disk when said arm is shifted in a predetermined angular direction toaxially displace said disk and reel in the direction for frictional engagement of said disk with said second member.

s. The combination with a hand reel of a disk secured to said reel for rotation therewith, said reel and disk being axially displaceable together;

and braking means engageable with-said disk for arresting rotation of said reeicomprising a first member coaxial with said disk and arranged adjacent one face thereof, a stationary second member coaxial with said disk and arranged adjacent the other facethereof, an arm extending rotation of said reel comprlsinga member arfrom said first memberfor turning it angularly on its axis with respect to said disk, and appara tus including coacting portions extending from said members for axially moving said first memher into engagement with saiddisk when said and secured to said reel for rotation therewith, said reel and disk being axially displaceable;

braking means engageable with said ratchet disk for arresting rotation of said real comprising 9.

arm is shifted in a predetermined angular direction, to correspondingly axially displace saiddisk and reel inthe direction for frictional engagement ofv said diskwith said second member. I

7. The combination with a hand reel of a ratchet having ratchet teeth on its periphery and secured to said reel for rotation therewith, said "reel and ratchet being axially displaceable;-

braking means engageable with said ratchet for arresting rotation of said reel-comprising a brake 3 shoe coaxial with said ratchet and arranged adbrake shoe and a stationary brake shoe case individually arranged adjacent said ratchet disk, brake linings carried ,by said brake shoe and brake shoe case on their surfaces coactable with said disk, an arm extending from said brake shoe for turning it angularly with respect to said brake shoe case, and means extending from said brake shoe and brake shoe case for moving said brake jacent one face thereof, a stationary brake shoe case coaxial with said ratchet and arranged adjacent another face thereof, an arm extending from said brake shoe for turning it angularly on its axis with respect to said brake shoe case, and coacting portions extending from said brake shoe and brake shoe case for axially moving said brake shoe against said ratchet when said brake shoe is turned in a predetermined angular direction to correspondingly axially displace said ratchet into frictional engagement with said brake shoe case; and a pawl pivoted on said stationary brake shoe case and arranged for actuation by said arm for engagement and disengagement with said ratchet teeth. v

8. The combination with a hand reel of .a

. ratchet disk having ratchetteeth on its periphery and secured to said reel for rotation therewith,

said reel and disk being axially displaceable;

braking means engageable with said ratchet disk for arresting rotation of said reel comprising a shoe against said ratchet disk when said brake shoe is turned in a predetermined angular direction, to bring said ratchet disk into frictionalengagement with said brake linings; and a pawl pivoted on said stationary brake shoe case and having a cammed section arranged for actuationby said arm for engagement and disengagement v 20- with said ratchet, said arm projecting through a slot in said case and being movable along said slot for controlling the conditions of operation of said reel in a predetermined manner.

10. The combination with a hand reel 'of a ratchet having ratchet teeth on its periphery and secured to said reel for rotation therewith, said reel and ratchet being axially displaceable; braking means engageable with said ratchet for arresting rotation of said reel comprising a brake shoe coaxial with said ratchet and arranged aid-,- Jacent one face thereof, a stationary brake shoe case coaxial with said ratchet and arranged adjacent'another face thereof, an arm extending from said brake shoe for turning it angularly on its axis with respect to said brake shoe case,

brake linings carried by said brake shoe and brake shoe case on their surfaces facing said ratchet,

brake shoe and a stationary brake shoe case individually arranged adjacent said ratchet diSki.

brake linings carried by said brake shoe and brake shoe case on their surfaces coactable with said disk, an arm extending from said brake shoe and coacting portions extending from said brake shoe and brake shoe case for axially moving said brake shoe against said ratchet when said brake shoe is turned in a predetermined angular direcfor turning it angularly with respect to said brake shoe case, and means extending from said brake shoe ,and brake shoe case for moving said brake shoe against said ratchet disk when said brake shoe is turned in a predetermined angular ratchet disk having ratchet teeth'on its periphery ratchet for reeling-in and reeling-out conditions.

tion to correspondingly axially displace said ratchet into frictional engagement with the lining of said brake shoe case; and a pawl pivoted on said stationary brake shoe case and having a cammed section arranged for actuation by said arm; said arm projecting through a U-slot in said case and being movable along said U-slot for controlling the conditions of operation of said reel by said ratchet and braking means whereby successive positions of said arm effect engagement and disengagement of said pawl and WILLIAM. P. LEAR. 

